Readers Respond

March 31, 2011

A story under the headline “Sitting down on the job: The lawsuit” generated several letters, including the following:

“People stand all day in factories and in retail stores doing their jobs. Giving good customer service demands that clerks walk the store looking to help people. If we give them chairs, customer service is gone. What are they going to do, sit there expecting people to look for them? We are in a very competitive retail environment today, and to stay in business it means [standing up] and working.” — Don Boulter
General manager
Battels Hardware & Tool Co.
Whittier, Calif.

“The state is definitely overreaching here. No wonder things cost us so much. These frivolous lawsuits come to haunt all of us in the form of unnecessary regulations and increased costs.” — Joel Carvajal
Sales director, Northwest and Mountain States
Serious Materials

“I think this is carrying it a bit too far. If you want to sit down somewhere, you will find a place. What’s next — make sure you feed me, and clothe me?” — Chris from Indiana

“We have store locations throughout the United States, including California. The state of California and its laws result in more lawsuits and legal fees for us than all others state combined. Prop. 65, VOC regulations, ZIP code class actions suits related to California Credit Card Act, and on and on.

“We are no longer adding stores in the state as a result of the added costs of doing business in California. The litigious state of California has not only crossed the point of overreaching parenting, but has set into motion a future business climate that will push companies to do as little as possible within the state. For a state that is all but bankrupt, they seem to be oblivious to the values that made this country great.” — Anonymous

“This again shows the lunacy, not in just California, but in the federal government and judicial arena as well. This was probably started by yet another blood-sucking parasitic ‘trial attorney’ looking for a massive payday through a class action suit. He’ll extort hundreds of millions in fees, and the claimants will get a $10-off Coupon at ‘Chairs R Us.’ ” — Online comment

A story under the headline “Dealer turned commando stops alleged thief” produced the following letters:

“No one in retail likes to lose product to a shoplifter. At the same time we are all jubilant when we recover our stolen goods. I have personally pursued and watched pursuits, and do believe that once a theft occurs and the product has left the building it is best to let the thief go on his or her way. I have asked myself after a number of personally involved occurrences: ‘What if?’ IF can be scary! Document the occurrence, advise loss prevention and contact the local authorities if advised.” — David Thompson
Store manager
Carter Lumber

“It’s not worth pursuing a shoplifter because our judicial system will just slap them on the wrist. The first company I worked for caught theft on video tape; a customer stole about $500 in tools. He was later arrested with some of the tools and received a $50.00 fine.” — Bob Lacasse
Hardware/Specialty Buyer
Maki Building Centers

“Better a live coward than a dead hero.” — Name withheld

An article last month under the title “Mark Baker to head OSH” generated the following comment:

“A great move for Mark and a greater move for Orchard Supply.” — Online comment